Re: American Sports compared to Sumo

["Garrett J. Dressler" <litvid@earthlink.net>]

Kawika wrote:

> We know that an oyakata gets 30,000 yen, now more I think, per sumotori, per
> month, for room & board.  Even though these guys eat a lot, now way I have
> to spend all that on the boys.

Kawika and all,

That's about  US $300.00.  That's not much for room & board.  Very little
actually.  Did I miss something?

Sekitori obviously can pay for themselves.  But who pays for clothing and
entertainment and pocket money for gum or movies for the other sumotori?  Do
they get an allownce, a stipend or are they relegated to asking Mamasan for
money each time they want to buy something for themselves?  Or is sumo society
so spartan that they simply go without?

While I'm at it:
How are the sumotori (below juryo) viewed by Japanese society, and by Japanese
individuals?

Most sumotori never make a living at sumo.  They join the heya very young, early
to mid teens. Apparently most never get to finish high school.  Do they receive
any formal education or training (other than sumo) in the heya.  What happens to
them when they are forced out of the heya?  Can they earn a living?

Garrett the culturally ignorant